Chapter 2455: Ten Thousand Deaths, No Life
"Roar!"
Ten tiger roars sounded simultaneously.
Zhang Ruochen struck out with a palm, sending ten phantom images of Zangjin Baihu flying from his hand. The golden light surging from his palm overpowered the radiance of the sword light and divine flame, reversing the tide and rushing outward.
Although Shang Yue was powerful, Zhang Ruochen, who had borrowed the power of the Qiankun Realm, was even stronger.
Dragon-Elephant... no, it should be called Dragon-Tiger Prajna Palm now. The palm force was domineering and vigorous, supremely firm and fierce.
The palm force scattered the Purifying Divine Flame, causing Shang Yue's figure to materialize. She rapidly retreated backward, her complexion shifting from red to white, then from white to green. The contempt in her eyes vanished, replaced by considerable caution.
Without having truly fought, cultivators of higher realms always looked down on those of lower realms.
This was because a cultivator's cognition, hardened over centuries or millennia, held that a higher realm crushing a lower one was common sense—a mindset impossible to change in a short time. Even when faced with the facts, they would not admit it inwardly.
It was like an ordinary person never believing that a newborn baby could punch a strong man to death.
Even if it happened before their eyes, they would not believe it.
Only when they themselves were punched to death would they believe it.
Shang Yue clearly believed it now. She had to admit in her heart that Eon-level geniuses were indeed not comparable to ordinary cultivators and could not be judged by common sense. Of course, this also made her more certain that Zhang Ruochen must possess a considerable amount of Profound Meaning.
"Swish!"
"Swish!"
Shang Yue and Shang Xia acted simultaneously, each wielding a sacred sword, attacking Zhang Ruochen from the left and right.
The two women—one a Primordial Fire Spirit, the other a Primordial Water Spirit—attacked together, evolving a exquisite sword formation that combined the Way of Yin and Yang, greatly enhancing their combat power.
Zhang Ruochen had no intention of fighting two at once. He waved his hand, unleashing the Multi-Space Scroll.
The scroll unfurled, light bursting forth, forming layers of small space worlds that enveloped the entire garden. They split apart the formation inscriptions within the garden, rendering all formations useless and impossible to activate.
Bai Qinger immediately sensed something was wrong and raised her voice: "Zhang Ruochen is trying to escape. Capture him."
Shang Yue, Shang Xia, Yunhuan Blood Iron King, the white-haired old woman, the white-robed mysterious expert... all the cultivators in the garden struck out simultaneously, unleashing various sacred arts, attempting to break through the Multi-Space Small Worlds.
"Relying on a mere scroll to escape? Watch me shatter it with one blow."
Yunhuan Blood Iron King's seals were undone. His bone spear transformed into a sharp divine pillar, unleashing the full force of a Ten Thousand Deaths One Life Realm peak strike, aimed at the scroll suspended above.
Zhang Ruochen's expression was indifferent. He pressed the tip of his right index finger into the void.
"Whoosh!"
The ground beneath Yunhuan Blood Iron King's feet and the sky above him flickered with dense spatial inscriptions, expanding infinitely. This caused his supremely powerful strike to fail even to touch the spatial walls of the Multi-Space, making destroying the scroll an unattainable goal.
In another small space world, Shang Yue and Shang Xia coiled around each other like water and fire spirit serpents, evolving the Ice Fire Sun Moon Sword Formation.
However, Zhang Ruochen had already placed a drop of Dark Time-Space Matter within that small space world. Just as the sword formation was about to take shape, the Dark Time-Space Matter suddenly emerged, exploded, and released terrifying destructive power.
With Shang Yue and Shang Xia's cultivation, a single drop of Dark Time-Space Matter could not harm them.
But at this moment, they were fully focused on evolving the sword formation, their defenses weak, and they could not escape or retreat.
As two screams rang out, the space where Shang Yue and Shang Xia were located turned pitch black.
...
This Multi-Space Scroll was Zhang Ruochen's magnum opus, representing his peak spatial mastery. He had long since pre-arranged various attack methods and spatial traps within it. How could they break it so easily?
Of course, these cultivators were no weaklings. As they grew serious and launched full-force attacks, Zhang Ruochen's pressure increased dramatically.
Zhang Ruochen took out the Space-Time Secret Scripture and flipped through the pages one by one. A multi-layered space appeared, merging and complementing the Multi-Space formed by the scroll.
"Whoosh!"
Zhang Ruochen's body split into thirty-six, appearing in thirty-six small space worlds. Each doppelganger fully activated the spatial inscriptions within the scroll, transforming them into various spatial attack methods, wielding spatial power with divine skill.
Bai Qinger stood in one of the small space worlds, as still as a virgin, unflustered. She leisurely looked up at the Multi-Space Scroll and said, "You never cease to surprise me. At the mere Hundred Shackles Realm, you can trap so many of my subordinates single-handedly. It seems one person like you is worth ten thousand others. I'm starting to take our bet seriously now."
Zhang Ruochen said, "Unfortunately, no matter how many cultivators I can trap, I cannot trap you."
"You know that, yet you haven't fled immediately. That means you didn't come here alone. Who is the woman who came with you?" Bai Qinger asked.
"Hehe!"
Sheyue Jing's melodious laughter, laced with illusionary power, echoed into each small space world.
The Great Saint-level experts trapped in the small space worlds were all affected.
Those with weaker cultivation fell directly into illusions—some wailing loudly, others swinging their weapons like madmen.
The more powerful Great Saints immediately sat cross-legged, doing their utmost to resist the illusory sound.
Zhang Ruochen's pressure was greatly reduced, but he was deeply shocked. This demoness Sheyue Jing usually kept a low profile, but when she truly acted, she was so formidable. By merging illusion techniques into sound, she could render Ten Thousand Deaths One Life Realm peak Great Saints combat-ineffective.
Fortunately, the illusory sound did not target him; otherwise, he was unsure if he could withstand it with his sixty-fifth level spiritual power and Heart of Truth.
For the first time, the ever-composed Bai Qinger frowned. Her gaze pierced through the layers of small space worlds, landing on the garden wall. A seductive, soul-stirring woman in a red dress stood there silently. With a light kick of her jade foot, she descended like a celestial maiden alighting to the mortal world.
Sheyue Jing directly charged into the small space world where Bai Qinger was located. Instantly, the entire small world was filled with surging demonic qi, shrouded in red demonic mist. Vast phantom images of gods and demons, taller than mountains, manifested, exuding a powerful aura as if they could devour an entire starry sky.
"Bai Qinger, hand over the top-grade Origin Divine Crystal, or die." Sheyue Jing said.
Bai Qinger pondered the identity of the newcomer, speaking calmly, "You're looking for the wrong person. If you want the top-grade Origin Divine Crystal, you should ask Zhang Ruochen. Many cultivators know that Zhang Ruochen killed Tan Fei and stole the top-grade Origin Divine Crystal."
Sheyue Jing cast a lingering, affectionate glance at Zhang Ruochen and asked, "Did you steal the top-grade Origin Divine Crystal?"
Zhang Ruochen shook his head.
"See, he says he didn't," Sheyue Jing said with a smile.
Bai Qinger said, "Is the heir of Luozu Cloud Mountain Realm this easily deceived? Zhang Ruochen brought you here to use you against me, to kill with a borrowed knife. Because I am the only one in the world who knows the top-grade Origin Divine Crystal is in his hands. Kill me, and he can monopolize the Origin Divine Temple."
Clearly, Bai Qinger had already guessed Sheyue Jing's identity.
"Compared to Zhang Ruochen, I find it more likely that you stole the top-grade Origin Divine Crystal. Besides, even if it weren't for the top-grade Origin Divine Crystal, I've long wanted to test you, to see what abilities you have that allow you to subdue so many top-tier Great Saints under your command. Could it be through beauty?" Sheyue Jing said.
Bai Qinger's face turned cold, as if the space itself had frozen.
At that moment, Sheyue Jing pointed a finger, sending a beam of light flying from her fingertip.
It seemed like a simple strike, but as the beam passed, Dao Locks, Great Saint inscriptions, and Divine Marks all shattered, and even the space cracked densely.
It was like a beam of death light, with nothing in the world able to withstand it.
"Do not harm my master."
Shang Xia hurled the Divine Relic Ancient Artifact sacred sword in her hand, turning it into a streak of light that pierced through the spatial wall of the small space world and collided with the beam.
"Bang!"
The Divine Relic Ancient Artifact sacred sword was instantly shattered into pieces, flying in all directions as scrap metal.
Yet the beam's power seemed undiminished, striking Bai Qinger's chest.
A strange thing happened.
A divine light vortex appeared at Bai Qinger's chest, absorbing the beam and making it vanish without a trace.
"Origin Divine Light. So you are an Origin Controller." Sheyue Jing was surprised, and it made her believe Zhang Ruochen's words even more—that Bai Qinger was highly likely to have stolen the top-grade Origin Divine Crystal.
Bai Qinger said, "The divine ability of Luozu Cloud Mountain Realm, the Certain Death Finger, it seems you haven't cultivated it to great completion."
"You want to see true divine ability? I'll grant your wish." Sheyue Jing said.
"No need. I have no interest in you. Someone else has far more interest in you."
Bai Qinger turned and walked toward Zhang Ruochen. The Multi-Space formed by the scroll and the multi-layered space formed by the Space-Time Secret Scripture were like bubbles, utterly unable to stop her.
Watching Bai Qinger draw closer, Zhang Ruochen's expression shifted repeatedly. He looked toward Sheyue Jing, only to find that she now had not a trace of a smile on her face, her expression grave to the extreme—clearly sensing some terrifying enemy.
From the depths of the garden, a voice sounded: "The heir of Luozu Cloud Mountain Realm only emerges once every ten thousand years. I imagine you're not weak. I wonder if you can withstand a single slash from me?"
It was Wuma Jiuxing's voice.
Hearing this voice, Zhang Ruochen's ever-hanging heart sank straight to the bottom.
Damn it!
Wasn't Wuma Jiuxing supposed to be recovering from his injuries? Why was he in Jifeng Saint Mansion?
A miscalculation, a serious miscalculation.
"Flee, flee immediately."
The Space Chaos Insect on Zhang Ruochen's finger flew out, growing as large as a flood dragon. Just as it was about to gnaw through space, Bai Qinger casually waved her hand, sending a large bolt of lightning crashing onto the Space Chaos Insect, sending it tumbling away and shrinking back to the size of an earthworm.
In an instant, only the last spatial wall remained between Bai Qinger and Zhang Ruochen.
"Want to break my space scroll? Not so easy."
Zhang Ruochen gritted his teeth, took a jar of divine blood from his space ring, and splashed it out.
This divine blood had been refined with divine stone powder.
The power of the Multi-Space Scroll greatly increased. The spatial inscriptions turned blood-red, emitting a powerful divine luster. The small space world where Bai Qinger was located stretched infinitely at times, compressed rapidly at others, or collapsed entirely...
Even with Bai Qinger's cultivation, she was temporarily trapped, unable to escape.
"Prince, take down his scroll." Bai Qinger ordered.
Immediately, a three-foot-tall emerald stone turtle emerged from the ground not far from Zhang Ruochen.
It tore apart the spatial inscriptions on the ground with its bare hands.
"I... I... I am... am..."
Before the Turtle Prince could finish his sentence, he was kicked flying by a black hedgehog.
It was Xiao Hei.
Perhaps thinking this turtle was a soft target, Xiao Hei had volunteered for this fight.
"Can't even speak clearly, and you dare to show your face." Xiao Hei stood on one leg, the other still in a kicking pose, his entire body bristling with straight spines.
The Turtle Prince was enraged. How could he, a dignified Stone Clan Supreme Realm Great Saint, a first-rate Saint Realm powerhouse personally instructed by the great god Huangtian, be kicked flying by a hedgehog?
After rolling over a dozen times, the Turtle Prince stood up abruptly. Ancient divine texts, numbering in the thousands, appeared on the turtle shell on his back. An iron staff appeared in his hand, and he swung it out.
"Short arms, so far away, and you still want to hit this emperor?" Xiao Hei was arrogant, mocking without restraint.
Picking the weakest opponent, he could indeed dominate freely.
"Bang!"
The Turtle Prince's iron staff seemed to swing from afar, but it easily broke through space, smashing down on Xiao Hei's head, knocking him flat. His head and feet disappeared, leaving only a ball of black spines.
Zhang Ruochen really wanted to pick up Xiao Hei and give him a beating. At a time like this, how could he still underestimate his opponent?
He knew well that the Multi-Space Scroll could not trap Bai Qinger for long. If he didn't escape now, he might really be finished here today. After retrieving the injured Space Chaos Insect, Zhang Ruochen picked up Xiao Hei, who was as limp as a dead dog, and rushed out of the garden.
Unexpectedly, the stone pillar standing at the garden's entrance suddenly came to life, extending a stone hand to capture Zhang Ruochen.
"Not good, there's still an expert hidden here."
Zhang Ruochen only felt that as the stone hand reached out, the ground beneath his feet sank, and the sky spun.
The stone hand seemed to encompass the entire world, airtight. Even when Zhang Ruochen struck out with the Divine Dragon White Bone Whip, he could not open a single gap. He could only watch as the "sky" in the shape of five fingers collapsed down upon him.
This was an expert even more formidable than Yunhuan Blood Iron King, likely having reached the Supreme Realm.
At the other end.
From the depths of the garden, countless light patterns rose, condensing into a golden, radiant blade that slashed down toward Sheyue Jing.
"Death Spirit Sacrifice!"
Sheyue Jing formed hand seals, and a circular altar rose beneath her feet. Red Death Spirit demonic qi seeped out. Sacrificial chants seemed to travel from ancient times to the present. One by one, phantom images of gods and demons awakened, raising divine halberds to strike at the golden blade.
"Pfft."
The golden blade was indestructible, cutting through the phantom images of gods and demons, breaking through the great completion divine ability Sheyue Jing had unleashed, and striking her body.
Sheyue Jing was sent flying like a kite with a broken string, crashing down from the altar, her body drenched in blood. Her Supreme Dharma Body was severely wounded by the golden blade. The sacred dao rules within her body became chaotic and disordered, continuously severed by the blade dao rules.
Her Dharma Body was on the verge of collapse, her life force gradually being destroyed.
"As expected of Wuma Jiuxing, truly formidable."
Her delicate body trembled slightly. Gone was her earlier charm, and the smile had vanished from her face. But her eyes still held an unyielding will, her battle spirit unbroken by that slash.
Even amidst ten thousand deaths with no life, one must seek the possible existence of life. This was a truth understood by every cultivator who had crossed the Ten Thousand Deaths One Life Realm.